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www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com
Education equals improved performance
Lifelong learning is essential for the development and success of businesses and their employees
E
very business in the land should follow former PM, Tony Blair – at least when it comes to prioritising ‘education,
education, education’. That’s because education – along
with other forms of training – can play a vital part in improving the performance of individuals and the businesses they work for. The trick is to make sure it’s the right training for the right people at the right time. As Professor Frank Coton of the
University of Glasgow explained: “The benefits of continuing education for individuals and organisations vary depending on the role of the individual, the nature of the education and the nature of the organisation. For example, someone working within a professional discipline, where its tools and approaches are continually evolving, can use continuing education to keep up with developments. “More generally, continuing
education allows individuals to plug gaps in their education. If you work for a company that wanted to expand in China you might want to gain an understanding of Chinese politics and/or learn Mandarin. We have many continuing learners studying a language for business reasons.” As well as enabling people to
develop their capabilities and position themselves more effectively in the jobs market, Frank pointed out that continuing education can help individuals who may have dropped out of education early to increase their skills and/or get back into work. Neil Cunningham of Skills
Development Scotland (SDS) agreed with Frank’s assessment and added his own perspective. He said: “The commitment to
lifelong learning is essential for a company, for employee progression and for development opportunities within the business. Companies benefit from staff retention and the ability to provide continuity of service to customers, while individuals are able to keep their skills relevant in the marketplace.” As an example of success that can
be achieved by workforce education, Neil highlighted the modern apprenticeship programme. “In workplace surveys, 94 per cent of employers say that those completing a modern apprenticeship are better able to do their job and 75 per cent of employers say that modern apprentices improve their company’s productivity. What’s more, 72 per cent of workers who responded say that having an
apprentice improved staff morale.”
Cost/benefit balance Of course every investment comes with a cost and Frank believes balancing those with potential benefits comes down to an organisation’s business development strategy – what does it want to achieve and what skills does it need in its workforce? “In some cases, particularly with SMEs, they might not have the flexibility to buy in expertise to supplement the existing workforce so continuing education provides a solution.” He stressed that if a major strategic
priority demands an element of continuing education it should be built into business planning, even if a business is operating the limited budget of an SME. Meanwhile, Neil emphasised:
“The biggest mistake any individual company can make in terms of continuing education and training is not doing it. Staff can become despondent and the business might lose its market share if the sector is developing and their staff aren’t suitably qualified. Others will capitalise on that.” Even if budget is an issue there are
cost-effective (that is, cost free) options out there. Frank said: “There is a wide range of ways to access continuing
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